The cost to winterize bass boat is minimal when compared to the cost to replace it. There are several steps that you can take to make sure that your water craft is ready for winter.
The first thing that you should do when beginning to winterize your boat is to read through your owner’s manual to learn the recommendations for winterization that the manufacturer suggests. You can do the job yourself or hire a professional to do it, whichever you prefer. Most boat owners do it themselves, although you may need the help of a friend to complete the task.
To winterize your outboard motor on your bass boat, you should flush the engine with fresh water with a device that attaches to the raw water pickup. You should then allow time for all the water to drain completely. You should wash your engine with soap and water and make sure to rinse it thoroughly.
Some experts recommend that you should disconnect your fuel line and run the engine until it stops. Others feel that you should fill your fuel tank and add a fuel treatment. Your owner’s manual will tell you the recommended method for your model of bass boat.
The next step to winterizing your boat is to disconnect your battery. You can mix water and baking soda to clean the battery as well as the terminals. You need to make sure that you rinse these off thoroughly when you are done. You should then apply a light coat of grease on the terminal ends. You can place the battery in a cool, dry place for the winter. You can also attach a charger to it to make sure that it is charged when you reinstall it in the spring.
You should next concentrate on winterizing your bilges. You should make sure that they are thoroughly clean. You can use a stiff brush with soap and water to scrub off any oil spots. You should spray your bilges with a moisturizing displacing lubricant. You can then add some antifreeze to them to make sure that any remaining water does not freeze up.
Once you take care of the exterior of your bass boat, you can now winterize the interior. You should remove all electronics and any other personal items that you wish to store in the house. You should make sure that all storage areas are cleaned thoroughly. If you have seats with cushions, it is ideal to remove them and put them in the house. If this is not possible, you should lean the cushions up on their sides to allow the air to circulate underneath them. You should also check the floor thoroughly to make sure that nothing was missed.
Making your boat ready for winter is a time-consuming task. When compared to the cost of the repairs that will be necessary if you do not do it, the cost to winterize bass boat is well worth it. |
